Top 10 Countries you can travel on $30 a day or less

Wondering where to travel to this year and stretch your budget?

Isn’t that what every backpacker wants…to travel on $30 a day or less? Often times, most of places we want to go are very expensive, especially when compared to where you could instead travel that would stretch a dollar much much further. In fact, ask yourself what you would expect to pay for traveling for a month in most countries. Have that number yet? My guess is most places run $1000 for a week, maybe 2 weeks. Not how about the following countries below where you can easily travel for under $900 a month! Yep, for an entire month. I’m living proof this is possible. In fact, some of the countries below can be traveled to on far less than $900…

In this article, I’m going to make it very easy. Let’s compare 5 things… The cost of a hostel room, guesthouse/hotel room, a beer, a meal for lunch or dinner and the cost of local transportation. Other than the money you spend on adventure, museums, tours, etc. all the basics should pretty much be comparable country to country right? Ok, awesome, lets begin.

Here are my Top 10 Countries to travel on $30 a day or less

India

Out of all the countries I’ve traveled to, India has left a bigger impression on me than any other. India is a place that makes you feel alive, a place where things will jockey for your attention around every corner. Countless books have been written about the amazing experiences it has had on other travelers. Sure you can head to the Taj Mahal on this $30 per day budget but there is so much more to offer travelers that venture to India. If you want a quick dose, check out my favorite travel post on my first travels in India. But getting to the nitty gritty, travel here is going to cost much less than $25 if you plan it out and don’t get fooled by those trying to charge you more for being a traveler. Travel smart and you’ll travel plenty cheap! The only place that may cost you more to travel on $30 a day is Mumbai as they are short on affordable hostels.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $8-10

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $10-13

Average Cost of a Beer: $1

Average Cost of a Meal: $2

Average Cost of a Local Transportation: $1-3

Thailand

Ahh yes, Thailand. What backpacker doesn’t have the “Land of Smiles” on their budget list! Do I really need to go into detail here about how awesome Thailand is? Let’s see… the food is amazing, the locals are friendly and accommodating to tourists, they have Full Moon Parties, they have gorgeous beaches, beautiful mountains and countryside and of course, everything is still extremely affordable for a backpacker’s $30 a day budget!

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $6-8

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $8-10

Average Cost of a Beer: $1-2

Average Cost of a Meal: $2-4

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $2-5

China

Of course, the budget list for travelers to travel on $30 a day just wouldn’t be legit without a mention on traveling in China. As a place filled with some amazing cities, unbelievable landscapes and a whole host of ‘uncharted’ territories by the average traveler, you can easily see why this country makes it into my top 10. I backpacked through China for more than a month and then later came back to live here for 6 months. During that time, I think I experienced more cultural diversity and tried more foods than I had in 3 full months traveling through Southeast Asia. And yes, traveling on $30 a day can go far and wide in China. Definitely doable on a backpacker’s budget, just try to limit your time in Hong Kong as it won’t be the most friendly area when it comes to cheap hostel rooms!

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $5-10

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $6-10

Average Cost of a Beer: $1

Average Cost of a Meal: $1-3

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $1-3

Belize

Traveling in Belize has come to be known as what it was once like traveling in Costa Rica about 15-20 years ago, before the travel industry took over. While this is currently changing with Belize becoming more popular, you can still stretch a backpacker’s budget. Luckily, a lot of what you’ll find yourself doing there is lazing around on their beautiful beaches or going on a jungle tour. Of course, there are other more costly options for the traveler… namely, you can go scuba diving, sailing or horseback riding. Now while none of those things are crazy expensive, they’re obviously more than just lying on a beach. In any case, you can still travel on $30 a day in Belize if done right and it is a country definitely worth a visit.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $13-18

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $10-20

Average Cost of a Beer: $1.50-2.50

Average Cost of a Meal: $3-5

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $1-5

Peru

Fascinating cultures, mystical ancient ruins, Llamas and of course Machu Picchu…. Need I say more? I mean who doesn’t already have Peru on their list of destinations to travel to? And now, you realize that you can do Peru in under $30 a day. Fantastic! Truth be told, that Machu Picchu trek won’t be cheap but just like any other destination, there are ways to make it affordable, just do your best to steer clear of expensive ‘tour packages’ as the markups on these will most definitely throw out your budget goal to travel on $30 a day.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $7-12

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $13-18

Average Cost of a Beer: $1-2

Average Cost of a Meal: $3-6

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $.50-3

Bolivia

Already on your way to Peru? Great, now put Bolivia on your list too! So many travelers make the trip down to Peru yet pass right over this travel gem of a country that is Bolivia. Still very wild and wonderful, Bolivia offers travelers a chance to get off the beaten track of the more heavily traveled backpacker paths and venture into an area that few go. That being said, the famous salt flats have quickly become the choice of many backpackers to venture to while traveling through South America. As the world’s largest salt flat, it has become a haven for travel photography. Add to this the markets to explore, unique cuisines to try and breathtaking landscapes and you’ll probably add Bolivia to your list too.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $6-10

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $10-15

Average Cost of a Beer: $2

Average Cost of a Meal: $2-5

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $.20-1

Indonesia

Not too familiar with Indonesia and what it has to offer? Ever heard of Bali? Of course you have…. Well, this country has both the famous traveled beaches of Bali plus much much more. Come here to experience unique islands, hike to the top of fiery volcanoes and experience ancient temples. The food and culture here is also sufficiently amazing. There is a reason more backpackers make plans to pass through Indonesia on their way to and from Southeast Asia than any other country. And, you guessed it… it’s definitely possible to travel on $30 a day or less here!

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $11-15

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $8-12

Average Cost of a Beer: $1-2

Average Cost of a Meal: $2-5

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $.50-3

Nepal

Take some cultural elements of India and mix it in well with the Himalayan mountains and voila, you have a fascinating country made up of some of the friendliest people on earth and some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever come across. There is just so much diversity to this country too that you really can’t get a sense of how magical it is without spending some time here traveling around. And when it comes to a budget, you can stay well within a $30 per day travel budget. In fact, you should have plenty of money left over if you know where to look and how to travel here.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $5-7

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $6-10

Average Cost of a Beer: $1-2

Average Cost of a Meal: $1-3

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $1-3

Mongolia

Who had Mongolia on their list as a Top 10 choice for an upcoming destination? Hopefully I’m not the only one as this country just doesn’t get enough publicity or attention in the travel industry. It’s a shame too because it has been one of my favorite countries I’ve traveled to. I mean where else can you find a 131 foot monument celebrating the legendary emperor Genghis Khan? Where else will you find a ‘Ger’ tent set up at the base of a skyscraper in a crowded city? Only in Mongolia folks. A country like no other. Rugged and mostly unchanged, the majority of inhabitants here haven’t changed their ways in centuries which offers travelers a chance to experience something unique, something they just won’t find in many other countries. And just like their cultural past, the cost to travel through Mongolia hasn’t changed much either as its vastly affordable, even in Ulaan Baatar, the country’s capital.

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $6-8

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $17-21

Average Cost of a Beer: $2

Average Cost of a Meal: $1-2

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $3-7

Philippines

Think about everything you know that’s great about Southeast Asia and then imagine it scattered about with thousands of small island paradises throughout to explore. Yep, that’s the Philippines. A smorgasbord of islands and awesomeness. In fact, there are more than 7,000 of these islands which make up the Philippines. So whether you just want to island hop and lounge around on the beach or prefer to spend your time in Manila exploring the big city or the country’s many museums and monuments, there is much to do here. And luckily, it can all be done in well under $30 a day!

Average Cost of a Hostel Room: $3-6

Average Cost in a Guesthouse: $9-15

Average Cost of a Beer: $.50-1

Average Cost of a Meal: $1.50-5

Average Cost of Local Transportation: $.50-3

Additional Travel Tips for those who want to Travel on $30 a day or less

• Look for a place to stay just outside the tourist areas or avoid them completely. You can save double what you would pay in the heart of the more popular areas.

• Avoid expensive drinks when out drinking. Try to stick to local beers as the expensive drinks will run you way over budget.

• Stick to eating local food whenever possible as you’ll always pay much less for a meal than you would if you try to go to a ‘western themed’ restaurant.

• Bargain as often as possible. Sure it may seem awkward to do so but in truth, in most countries this is commonplace and you would be amazed by how much you can save by bargaining on certain things, even a room for the night.

• Avoid taxis whenever possible. If you think you’ll rely on them anyway, check out my article on avoiding taxi scams

• Save the more expensive countries for later… when you have more money! I consider the ‘expensive’ countries to be: Canada, Australia, USA, Japan, and most of Western Europe.

• If you would like to save lots of money and meet locals along the way, check out Airbnb and Couchsurfing when you travel. You can always find a cheaper room than you would in a hotel or guesthouse and the experience will often times be much better and memorable.

If you’ve traveled on less than $30 per day, do you have any additional tips/comments to share?

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